Students Raise $1,680 In Bristol Twp. Breast Cancer Walk

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA —They honored "Ms. Geri" and raised $1,680 in doing so.

Students from Neil A. Armstrong Middle School honored the memory of teaching assistant Geri Marell through Breast Cancer Awareness Week every October with this one marking the 15th year Armstrong has participated.

The week raises money for the Susan G. Komen organization in memory of Marell, who lost her battle with breast cancer in March 2007.

The culminating event of the week was an hour-long Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Oct. 6.

Decked out in pink attire, hundreds of Armstrong students and staff members, who donated and signed up, walked around Armstrong’s track and the perimeter of the school.

Students raised $1,680 and the school will continue to raise money throughout the month.

The Susan G. Komen organization addresses breast cancer through research, community health, global outreach, and public policy initiatives.

“The Armstrong students and staff are amazing. It warms my heart to see the school pull together for one common cause and be united to make a difference,” said teaching assistant Kathy Cook-Lyle, one of the main organizers of the fundraising effort.

To raise awareness, students participated in a kick-off assembly, ribbon signing, and essay writing.

Additionally, students donated $1 to participate in the walk and staff donated $4 to wear jeans for the week. Tape race could also be purchased for 25 cents per foot or $1 for 5 feet, and breast cancer awareness bracelets were on sale for 50 cents.